PIERRE – Two Pierre Governor football players have made names for themselves locally and statewide. Now, they will hope to do so nationwide.
Wednesday, the first day that football recruits could sign national letters of intent, Governor quarterback Lincoln Kienholz and two-way lineman Jason Maciejczak signed to play at Big Ten schools. Kienholz will go to Ohio State; Maciejczak will head to Nebraska.
Kienholz, South Dakota’s all-time leading passer, last week announced that he changed his commitment from Washington to Ohio State. Kienholz played on the last four 11AA Pierre state championship teams and was the starting quarterback for the last three. He passed for 9,100 yards and 104 touchdowns in his career while rushing for 3,502 yards and 46 touchdowns. For the last three seasons, Kienholz has been the Joe Robbie Most Valuable Player in the 11AA championship game and a first-team all-state player.
Maciejczak joined the Governors for his senior season after moving with his family to Pierre from Box Elder, where he had played at Douglas High School and where his father, Dan, was the head coach for 12 seasons. Dan Maciejczak joined the staff of Governor Head Coach Steve Steele this past season. Jason Maciejczak was an all-state defensive lineman in 2022, but played on both sides of the line. Nebraska wants to use him as an offensive lineman, but may also be open to using him on defense.
For the Governors on defense, Maciejczak had 21 ½ tackles, nine sacks and a fumble recovery. Maciejczak had committed to North Dakota before announcing his commitment to the Cornhuskers on Monday.
Kienholz is happy that this process is done, but enjoyed it.
Kienholz said that his conversion, though cordial, was a tough one with Washington about decommitting.
When he first knew that Ohio State was interested in him, Kienholz said that he was impressed, but was also still concentrating on the Governor season.
Kienholz made his official visit to Columbus on Thanksgiving weekend, the weekend of the Buckeyes’ game with Michigan.
Kienholz has a choice to make on when he can enroll at Ohio State.
Kienholz reflected on the incredible run for him individually and for the Governor team collectively in the succession of state championships.
Maciejczak said that the change in his commitment from North Dakota to Nebraska came suddenly.
Offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, the only assistant from former Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost’s staff that remains with new Head Coach Matt Rhule, was the coach behind the effort to bring Maciejczak to Lincoln.
With he and his family relocating from Box Elder this summer, Maciejczak said that this has been quite a year.
Maciejczak said that Kienholz has been an amazing teammate.
Governor Head Coach Steve Steele called these signings a great achievement for the Pierre football program.
Steele said that when Maciejczak came to Pierre, he didn’t ask for anything special.
Steele is sure that Maciejczak can play wherever the Cornhuskers need him to be.
Steele is certain that Kienholz can be an elite college quarterback.
Steele is impressed with Kienholz’s humility.
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